Kiwanis Club sponsors all-day skates

HILLSDALE — Kids and skating equal fun, and this summer a local service club is sponsoring two all-day skates at the Stadium Roller Rink.

The events are scheduled for Friday and July 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the skating rink at 3240 Carleton Road, Hillsdale. The two separate dates were scheduled to give more than one chance for some skate time fun, Stadium Roller Rink owner Doug Ingles said.

“We’ve been doing all-day skates since my parents came to Hillsdale in 1956,” Ingles said. “Through the years the format has evolved as needs and desires of kids and families have changed. Also, there are cool opportunities provided by technology advancements and new equipment to do more fun activities.”

Ingles said Bill VanArsdalen of the Hillsdale Kiwanis Club approached him last year and asked if there were any activities available for kids at Stadium Roller Rink that could involve Kiwanis. The Hillsdale club was a partial sponsor of last summer’s event and became the sole sponsor of this summer’s Skate All Day.

“Kids and roller skating combine to make an excellent partnership between Hillsdale Kiwanis and Stadium Roller Rink,” Ingles said. “I really appreciate the support from the club.”

The idea for the 2012 Skate All Day came about as a result of Stadium Roller Rink’s involvement in the national program “Kids Skate Free.”

“We are putting together this summer’s event so that all children 12 years old and younger have a chance to participate in a fun sport,” Ingles said. “Roller skating is a great way to get some exercise and have fun with your friends, too.”

Last summer there were more than 800 kids with friends and family members who attended.

“Response was great in appreciation from kids and parents alike,” Ingles said.

There will be skating games like limbo, cha-cha slide and races. Other activities that will be free for the kids include a bounce house and trampoline. Also, there are skate mate skater trainers available for new skaters that need extra help.

For more information, call the rink at 437-3541 or visit the Web site at www.skatehillsdale.com.